If

If
you’re checking in to EAST on a Friday night you can
expect a snaking line of 20-somethings queueing to get inside.
They’re waiting to ride up to the top floor to Sugar, a rooftop bar with an (urban)
jungle’s worth of hanging baskets and moss walls, not to mention
epic views of the city below and a 45k-strong social-media
following.

Back down at lobby level you’ll be struck by clean lines, taupe
hues and high-gloss wood furnishings. EAST offers slick and
sophisticated where most Miami hotels promo sand and sex. An ideal
hub for those city slickers making a quick pit stop in the burg, a
20-minute car ride to the airport is sure to sweeten the deal.

Bedrooms

Floor-to-ceiling windows open up to a sea of skyscrapers above
and waterways below. If you can it’s worth splurging on a suite for added space and (more
than likely) better views. Regardless of room spec, beds are
bouncy, balconies are expansive and bathrooms are larger than
average. Wooden shelves disguise a coffee machine and bar,
high-tech lighting panels dictate the room’s general mood and the
electronic blinds (which can be remote controlled from the comfort
of your squishy bed) are a pretty epic in-room feature that could
give Alexa a run for her money.

What’s for breakfast?

In-room dining is available until 11am but the morning buffet
surpasses the breakfast-in-bed offering. Gorge on the cloud-like
pastries and hunks of fresh fruit that teeter above the breakfast
station. Follow with eggs benedict and chase with tart grapefruit
juice.

How about lunch and dinner?

On level five you’ll find Quinto la Huella where the menu is
dominated by dishes with an Uruguayan flavour. Graze from the sushi
counter or nibble kale and quinoa salads while your carnivorous
companions feast on chef Nano Crespo’s steaks, lambs and flatbreads
seared a la parrilla. If you fancy something a tad more relaxed,
tantalising snacks are also served on the pool and deck for both lunch and
dinner.

Is there a bar?

The aforementioned Sugar is a fun urban space to grab a drink in the heart of Brickell.
Designed by LA-based Studio Collective, the vibe is Club Tropicana
meets alfresco bamboo and teak alfresco. Book ahead or arrive early
to snag a daybed in the lush Balinese-style garden and snack on
Asian-style tapas (the bang-bang shrimp and braised-beef bun are
sublime) to a backdrop of twinkling downtown views. We sipped on
Nashi cocktails all night long.

Amenities

There’s a pool on level five, a gym known as Beast (body by
EAST) on level three and a mecca of clothing stores accessible from
level two.

Things you should know…

Brickell is the centre of commerce and city slickers are the
main foot passengers in the area. You’ll like it here if you: a)
own a briefcase or b) self-identify as a little chichi.

Within a short walk you’ll find

SLS Lux is right across the street and their in-house Japanese
restaurant, Katsuya, makes a great case for renewing your love of
sushi and sake. With your evening plans sorted, spend your
afternoon at the mall – there’s not much else to do in Downtown
Miami.